COLD LAKE - More details, as well as charges are emerging from a Cold Lake RCMP arrest that involved a police officer firing a shot during an attempted escape of a break-and-enter suspect.
On Jan. 25, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) announced it would be investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, which resulted in the arrest of two people.There were no reports of injuries.
The ASIRT investigation is mandatory following the discharge of a firearm at a person by a police officer.
Monday's ASIRT media statement says that several members of the Cold Lake RCMP were dispatched to a rural property near Ardmore early in the morning on Jan. 22, in response to a report of a break and enter in progress. When members arrived at the location, police say a Ford F-350 truck was observed backed into an open building on the property.
As the police vehicles approached the F-350, a confrontation reportedly occurred during which police say the F-350 collided with an occupied marked RCMP vehicle, and one RCMP member discharged a single round from his service pistol.
The F-350 continued past other police vehicles and drove through some bushes near the property exit before ultimately becoming stuck in a ditch. At that point, RCMP report that the male driver exited the vehicle, and both he and the female passenger were taken into custody without incident.
No one was injured as a result of the shooting or the vehicle collision. Police have determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen.
One charged
Shortly after the ASIRT update, Cold Lake RCMP announced that a Bonnyville-area man is facing several charges in connection to the incident. A female arrested at the same time has been released without charges.
Wyatt James Will Whitford, 24, of Bonnyville, is facing charges of flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, assault with a weapon on a police officer, resisting arrest, two counts of mischief, possession of stolen property, five counts of failing to comply with court orders, and possession of a controlled substance
Whitford has been remanded into custody and was scheduled to appear in Cold Lake Provincial Court on Jan. 27.
ASIRT’s investigation will focus on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the officer’s discharge of a firearm. The RCMP maintains responsibility for the investigation into the two occupants of the vehicle, including the reported break and enter.
The RCMP’s Eastern Alberta District General Investigation is continuing to investigate the break and enter. No further media updates are anticipated.
ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.
